The Federal Government has accelerated efforts to establish state police, unveiling a seven-week roadmap for the completion of the National Policing Bill that will provide the legal and operational framework for the proposed security reform.
Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, announced that the work programme, which commenced on July 27, will conclude on September 14 with the submission of a comprehensive implementation package.
Speaking after the working group’s meeting, Gbajabiamila said the process would involve legal drafting, policy research, data analysis and implementation planning, with the final submission including an explanatory memorandum, legal audit, implementation framework, fiscal notes, risk assessment and digital archive.
He stressed that while the Federal Government remains committed to decentralised policing, the proposed state police system would not be allowed to become a tool for political intimidation.
“State police cannot mean 36 state militias,” Gbajabiamila said, insisting that no political office holder should be able to use the security outfit to target opponents or suppress lawful political activities.
According to him, no state will be permitted to establish its own police service until it demonstrates adequate capacity in recruitment, training, equipment, financial sustainability, complaints handling, firearms control and independent oversight.
He added that states unable to meet the required standards would continue to receive policing services from the Nigeria Police Force until they attain operational readiness.
Gbajabiamila disclosed that an Executive Bill would be presented to President Bola Tinubu on September 3 before nationwide consultations are held and the revised draft transmitted to the National Assembly for legislative consideration.
He clarified that although the National Assembly is progressing with constitutional amendments, no state police service currently exists because the amendment has not yet secured approval from the required number of state Houses of Assembly.
The National Policing Bill, he explained, will address critical operational issues including recruitment, funding, command structures, pensions, firearms regulation, complaints mechanisms, interstate cooperation and minimum national policing standards.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun described the proposed legislation as one of the most significant reforms of the Tinubu administration, saying it would provide the detailed legal and operational framework needed to implement state policing nationwide. He urged Nigerians to participate in the legislative process through the public engagement portal created for the bill.
Also speaking, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), assured Nigerians that the proposed legislation would prevent abuse of state police by enforcing minimum national standards.
He maintained that the reform is designed to strengthen the protection of lives and property while ensuring that state police do not become instruments of political persecution. Fagbemi added that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to operate in states that are not yet ready to establish their own police services.